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User-Centered Redesign of a Clinical Decision Support System for Pneumonia in the Emergency Department

M. A. Christensen, R. Beebe, Anne Chen, Carrie Reale, Janelle Faiman, J. Wrenn, S. Gradwohl, Jason Slagle et al.

Applied Clinical Informatics, 2025

Abstract

Abstract Background Deviation from evidence-based guidelines is common and associated with worse patient outcomes, especially in hectic emergency departments (EDs). Clinical decision support (CDS) systems can improve outcomes by promoting guideline adherence while allowing patient-specific adaptation. Implementation of a CDS system for pneumonia (“ePneumonia”) in the ED has been associated with improved guideline adherence and reduced 30-day mortality. However, adoption of ePneumonia has been hindered by a suboptimal user interface (UI). Objective This study aimed to redesign the ePneumonia UI to improve usability and adoption. Methods We conducted a user-centered design study involving ED clinicians at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Across two rounds of one-on-one usability interviews with ED clinicians held via videoconference we (1) identified user requirements, and (2) iteratively refined a UI prototype. During each usability interview we presented realistic pneumonia cases, observed the clinician interact with a prototype, and elicited feedback with a semi-structured interview guide. We applied rapid thematic analysis and iteratively updated ePneumonia UI prototypes between interviews. Results Among 21 invited ED clinicians, 19 (90%) participated, including 15 attendings, 3 residents, and 1 advanced practice provider; 6 (32%) participants were women. Initial findings revealed that the original step-by-step UI did not align with the dynamic ED workflow. Clinicians…

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